Saturday, September 27, 2014

african fiesta @ 45tours on vita 1963-5 docteur nico 01.4

Version 01.4 adds 01b Tremendo Punto, at long last. Version 01.3 adds 19b Liwa Na Ngai. Version 01.2 adds 03a Eso La Vida.Version 01.1 Enthusiast discographer Alastair Johnston has kindly provided information and files, resulting in the addition of four tracks - 08a En Guantanamo, 13b Nkembo Na Nzambe, 18b Willy Mopaya, 23a Azongi Na Bomengo. I thank him for his generosity and infinite wisdom.
According to Johnston's invaluable Docteur Nico Discography, African Fiesta came together in 1963, featuring Nicolas Kasanda on lead, his brother Dechaud on rhythm guitar and Tabu Ley Rochereau on lead vocals, with Roger Izeidi, Kwamy Munsi, Joseph 'Mujos' Mulamba, Joseph Mwena and Depuissant, adding Faugus Izeidi, Paul Mizele, Dominique Kuntima and Jeef Mingiedi in due time. Having developed his electric guitar skills in African Jazz and Rock-a-Mambo, Nico was really sailing by this time, exploring exotic tones and textures like a Congolese Jeff Beck. Cascades of single notes alternate with thick clusters, generally plucked instead of flat-picked, all purring and growling with natural tube sustain and distortion, tremolo and reverb. Check Angola Siempre for a characteristic 'Dieu de la Guitare' solo. African Fiesta managed to record over 250 sides in just two years, with 128 Vita singles released and nary a dud among the ones I've heard. This collection comes from my own vinyl and CDs along with many many downloads from across the interwebs, with Moos @ Global Groove a prime source. I've been advised that compilation tracks are not necessarily the same takes as the original 45s, but I don't often have multiple sources to compare. 25 Vita numbers will be covered in each post, however many tracks I actually have, with downloads revised if and when additions turn up. A list of missing sides is included in the rar, and any digital contributions would be very greatly appreciated. docteur nico african fiesta @ 45 toursthe far from complete vita singles 1963-5part 01 - vita 01-25

Thank you for your exciting listings of Docteur Niko's archive music. Apart from GlobalGroovers, I do now know where to go in terms of such music. However, the download link is NOT active and is not downloading. Could you please check the link so that we can have the jewels in this part of the world.ThanksAdoyo P.A., Nairobi. Kenya

This is just getting better with other collectors adding to your original list. Was just wondering.....would it be possible to bundle up the extra files as they appear in small rars so we don't have to download the whole lot again if we already did so. With the internet connections in some parts of the country it can take a lifetime to get the entire thing downloaded.

No still not working - sending failed as before - and I had your address. I can only think it's a spam filter. The first time I think I sent it to Lucky and I haven't had a sending failed message back - maybe it got through there. It's from jpjack. Let's find a way. mamboPete

I used to listen to a beat-up cassette of Sweet Mother non-stop in the early 80s. This is an unbelievable endeavor you have undertaken and achieved! I've DLed all of the docteur nico & co 45 tours you've posted and have them on constant rotation on my IPOD. A true musical master. Thanks so much for your work!

Good to hear from you. This was a purely selfish undertaking, an attempt to bring some order to all the scattered bits and pieces. It's gratifying that it continues to find an appreciative audience. Thanks for the thanks.

These singles compilations seem to be attracting many fairly new Nico fans. I discovered him some years ago via Rock-A-Mambo, before the formation of African Fiesta. You will enjoy R-A-M stuff posted here May & December 2010. Really. Thanks for taking the time.

I only discovered your blog few days ago, but the only thing I've got download was your marvellous compi of NNB.The issue is your download-links don't fit to my country (Italy) or maybe to whole Europe.You should provide a working link for europe too (as you did for the former NNB compi).I don't dare to ask, but please let me know whenever i'd provide these links.Thank you for gems you let us discover here.B.